I think I broke it

[BSLSK05]

Ok, I've gotten my truck mostly back together but I ran into a problem. I'm not getting a spark from the spark plugs.

[Rufton]

12v to coil?
Got points?

[BSLSK05]

Originally Posted by Rufton

12v to coil?
Got points?

Yes
Not sure

The wiring mess in the truck is hard to figure out so I'm not 100% sure on anything

[geezer#99]

Pics help!

[Rufton]

Agree.
Can you pop distributor cap and snap pic?
Can you turn crank shaft so #1 piston is TDC of compression stroke?

[BSLSK05]

[Chevy Fleetside]

try changing the points but first see if you have a gap at the high point. Those points look like they have seen better days. I dont know how cheap points are these days but they were back in the day, and try to clean up the inside of the dist at bit.

[Rufton]

Don't remember who to credit for pic.

[Rufton]

I'd verify wiring and check voltage/resistance.
Confirm #1 TDC static timing correct.
Confirm point gap.
Test coil resistance.
Replace condenser/points/coil if no spark.
Coil, condenser and points can be had dirt cheap, nice to have backup ignition components for quick troubleshooting.

[Chevy Fleetside]

another easy way to see if points are working is to turn the key on and open them with a non metal object. They should spark when you open them. Yes caveman I know but it works. At least as far as I can remember...

[geezer#99]

So where does the black ratty looking wire on the negative side of the coil going to. Shouldn't be there unless you've got a tach.
Unless it's maybe the resistance wire that should be paired up with the yellow wire on the positive on the coil.

[thunder71]

Looks oily inside...where is the oil coming from? Take some sandpaper and sand the contacts and deglaze them, or a points file if you have one then stick a clean rag in between the contacts and clean well with a contact cleaner or alcohol ...I would do that first...
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[63burban]

Run a small piece of newspaper through the points, less abrasive and cleans the oil off the points. Old two stoke bike trick.

[thunder71]

A good 120 grit folded in half and run through closed points works well...old dirt bike trick here also
Posted via Mobile Device

[BSLSK05]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

So where does the black ratty looking wire on the negative side of the coil going to. Shouldn't be there unless you've got a tach.
Unless it's maybe the resistance wire that should be paired up with the yellow wire on the positive on the coil.

It went to the key, I had it in the wrong place. fixing that did not fix the problem.

I am confused by what you call points, everything that I think you would be talking about, plugs, wires, distributor cap, are all new. The distributor its self is kinds old and that oil is from a botched attempt to prevent a fix of the blown head gasket by the previous owner.

[ACK]

We'll get this solved, do ya' mind a few questions to get an idea of what we're working with:

1. Sounds like this is your 1st time workin' on an old inline 6, have ya' worked on newer engines in the past?
2. Which parts of the engine/truck did you rewire?
3. Did you remove the distributor or rotate it at all?
4. I take it the starter is engaging and there's power at the dash, correct?
5. What year truck?

If you don't have a wire stripper, crimping tool, and a terminal/connector set, go to the local Harbor Freight or auto parts store and purchase them, total cost should be under $20. Use the ring or spade terminals on the ignition coil and if you don't have them on the starter, there, too.

Here's a pic of the wire harness on the passenger side firewall showing what's what and also a engine wiring diagram for a '64 C10. Let us know if they help, good luck getting this resolved.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Are the lobs worn out on the dist. If they are the points won't open and you will not get spark to the plugs.
Here is a picture of the points. This is a dist from a 4 cyl. You can tell because it has 4 lobs on the dist shaft, a 6 cyl will have 6 and 8 for an 8 cyl. Look at your dist shaft and see if the lobs have a nice crown. The ponts open and close on the lobs. When the points open is when spark happens. You can turn the key on and open the point manually with something that won't shock you and see if they spark, or just have someone turn the engine over while looking at them and make sure they open and close. If they don't open and close then they need to be adjusted. That is another lesson.. The picture shows the points in the open position. There is only about a .017 gap.

[BSLSK05]

Originally Posted by ACK

We'll get this solved, do ya' mind a few questions to get an idea of what we're working with:

1. Sounds like this is your 1st time workin' on an old inline 6, have ya' worked on newer engines in the past?
2. Which parts of the engine/truck did you rewire?
3. Did you remove the distributor or rotate it at all?
4. I take it the starter is engaging and there's power at the dash, correct?
5. What year truck?

1. Yes, but mostly JDM
2. I haven't personally rewired anything yet, but the wires are in really bad shape and would do well with some new ones.
3. Yes, some of the oil/antifreeze mix got into it and I used some WD40 and White Lithium grease to remedy that.
4. Yes, well, until the battery died.
5. 1966

[Rufton]

Battery may not enjoy full discharge.
May wan't to put battery charger on shopping list.

[BSLSK05]

I was being jumped by a 2012 F150 for the last try. It spun better and faster but still nothing.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Did I waste my time with my post? Did you check anything?

[BSLSK05]

I double checked the wiring and compared it the diagrams that were posted and couldn't find a problem. I am also at work, I can't try anything until I get off which wont be for another two and a half hours. I appreciate all the input, that is why I'm here.

I will check the lobes tonight Chevy Fleetside.

The only thing that has changed since it was running last was that the dist. and coil were taken off when I changed the head gasket. Everything worked before but does not now. I'm wondering it my initial wiring mishap with the key wire caused some short and burnt out the coil, but I want to try everything before I start buying new parts. Please be patient with me, I'm still new to this and I can be a bit thick.

[jayoldschool]

You can just hotwire it to take the wiring out of the troubleshooting. 12v to the coil, screwdriver on the starter terminals. Make sure it's not in gear ;-)

[BSLSK05]

Ok, I've been quite for a while but I have news to report. Everything was wrong, Coil was shot, points are worn out and I'm not getting compression.